Ohio Supreme Court appoints 3-judge panel in McCann case

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Supreme Court has appointed a three-judge panel to oversee over the suspension proceedings of Put-in-Bay Mayor Bernard “Mack” McCann, who is facing felony corruption charges.

The state high court appointed retired Judge Daniel Hogan of Franklin County, retired Judge Thomas Pokorny of Cuyahoga County, and retired Judge Jennifer Sargus of Belmont County to the special commission presiding over the suspension case.

McCann, 82, was indicted last month on two counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, fourth-degree felonies, and four counts of conflict of interest, first-degree misdemeanors.

McCann is alleged to have used his position as mayor to secure waterline project contracts for a business associate, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

If the special commission decides to suspend the mayor, McCann and his attorneys will have 14 days to contest the decision.

Meetings of the special commission are closed to the public and records are not made available until the special commission issues its written report or the proceedings are otherwise concluded, according to Ohio law.

In addition to McCann, three other current and former officials from the Village of Put-in-Bay — Michael McCann, Melinda McCann Myers, and Kelly A. Niese — are facing charges as a result of a lengthy corruption investigation.